Calling all Branches! What traditions can your branch, or the military as a whole, do without?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 12:34:09 -0500

Some traditions aren't official, but began more as habits. Think of those that damage the budget, hinder progress, and others that are flat out just a waste of time or obsolete. 

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Dec 8 at 2013 1:13 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 13:13:00 -0500

Why are we looking to get rid of traditions because it's "just a waste of time"?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2013 1:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 13:28:06 -0500

Sgt Brassfield, there is a difference between traditions and training. We leave up traditions and reinforce our discipline with this traditions. Now training is a different matter, we can cut in some unproductive training, but most of our traditions do not have an impact in the budget.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2013 2:10 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 14:10:37 -0500

I know one... The 82nd Divisions Pass and Review. Can you imagine the cost in man hours. The 82nd must have at least 10,000 in it (being very conservative). They do the rehearsal and then the real thing. The must spend at last 10 hours between the two. It will add up to 100,000 man hours. Just think of all the police calls around Bragg they could be doing or mowing lawns and the want not.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2014 5:51 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 17:51:08 -0400

WHITES (not white people, although sometimes they get under my skin)!!! CAN'T STAND ANY OF THEM. CAN'T SIT IN THEM. CAN'T BREATHE ON THEM. CAN'T EVEN LOOK AT THEM. SPOTLESS WHITES=PARADOX

Response by PO2 Brad Broerman made Jul 18 at 2017 4:15 PM

PO2 Brad Broerman — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 16:15:47 -0400

It's a shame that they got rid of tacking on crows, or the ceremonies involved with crossing the line or blue nose... all because of "hazing"... honestly, some mild hazing is ok. it builds character and strength, and builds the feelings of camaraderie.

Response by Cpl Rc Layne made Jul 18 at 2017 4:37 PM

Cpl Rc Layne — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 16:37:38 -0400

Actually giving value to the opinions of every available moron that comes along is a practice that could be done away with.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jul 18 at 2017 5:42 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 17:42:38 -0400

none - they are traditions for a reason.

Response by SSG Steven Mangus made Jul 18 at 2017 7:51 PM

SSG Steven Mangus — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 19:51:23 -0400

60 minute speeches glorifying outgoing commanders at change of commands. Sure let the speak; however limit it to 15 minutes..

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2019 11:29 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 11:29:08 -0400

Let’s all put our hands in our pockets when it’s cold

Response by PO2 Tony Divito made Jul 19 at 2019 7:24 AM

PO2 Tony Divito — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 07:24:52 -0400

De clutter the uniform. Too many ribbons and badges.

Response by SP5 Gary Smith made Jul 19 at 2019 10:25 AM

SP5 Gary Smith — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 10:25:59 -0400

Saluting officers in a combat zone.

Response by LTC James Washington made Jul 19 at 2019 11:17 AM

LTC James Washington — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 11:17:55 -0400

The problem is that traditions and rituals have great organization building value. Granted some may never have been appropriate but I’m always concerned that a lot of good goes to get a little bad.

Response by PO3 Dana Abbey made Jul 19 at 2019 11:42 AM

PO3 Dana Abbey — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 11:42:37 -0400

None, that's what traditions are.

Response by LCpl Jason Keiser made Jul 19 at 2019 12:12 PM

LCpl Jason Keiser — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 12:12:26 -0400

whose stirring the shit pot, some lazy ass is wanting to be lazier, so thry are looking for excuses. shut up and do the suck.

Response by CPO Rob Carleen made Jul 19 at 2019 2:38 PM

CPO Rob Carleen — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 14:38:21 -0400

One that did go away: back in the early ‘60’s the hangar deck was the main deck of the aircraft carrier ( still is) and was a main passage fore and aft. We were required to be covered on the main deck at all times even underway, even though it was the main aircraft maintenance area. You had to salute every officer that walked by...a pain for both parties. By ‘67 it went away. No covers on the hangar deck. Problem solved.

Response by LTJG Timothy Griffing made Jul 19 at 2019 4:59 PM

LTJG Timothy Griffing — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 16:59:19 -0400

Again no Coast Guard

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2019 10:42 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 22:42:52 -0400

If "Traditions" no longer serve a purpose towards the mission, and the people being forced into participating in them don't see the reason or appreciate it, then there's no real value in them. Sorry to tell you but times are changing. A lot of things that actually degrade morale are forced on troops because it's "tradition." in actuality the people that founded these traditions would rather you build a more effective force that looks to the future and not the past. That's what I believe.

Response by SPC Burke Easter made Jul 21 at 2019 8:15 AM

SPC Burke Easter — Sun, 21 Jul 2019 08:15:53 -0400

How about bring back black boots shinned, tucking in fatigue shirt and rolling up sleeves? Untucked blouse looks sloopy as hell, half the time its ill fitted on the soldier, it has no pockets on the lower half so no reaon not to tuck it in, and you don't wear it in combat anyway.

Response by SP5 Hank Vandenburgh PhD made Jul 21 at 2019 2:01 PM

SP5 Hank Vandenburgh PhD — Sun, 21 Jul 2019 14:01:38 -0400

Please, please don’t go there with the 1940s “pinks and greens.” Just stop for a few years.

Response by Sgt Josh Hogan made Jul 21 at 2019 10:39 PM

Sgt Josh Hogan — Sun, 21 Jul 2019 22:39:06 -0400

I would say the tradition we could do without would be......Rally Point.

Response by MAJ Gerald Hansen made Aug 11 at 2019 12:48 PM

MAJ Gerald Hansen — Sun, 11 Aug 2019 12:48:12 -0400

Customs, courtesies and discipline define a professional organization

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Aug 12 at 2019 7:02 AM

SSG Ralph Watkins — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 07:02:23 -0400

A doctor I worked with used to be a medic in the Pakistani Army. He was in a field artillery unit. Their traditions were based off old British ones. When they were towing the guns, there was always a man assigned to stand next to each gun. That was his assigned job. Everybody else had to do all kinds of hard work. It took one guy to complain to the command on how screwed up this was. It came from the old horse drawn artillery days when someone had to make sure the horse did not run off with the gun. Why is that position need in the modern era with trucks? The guy who spoke up made a good point & the Pakistani military made the gun escorts get their hands dirty too.

Response by SGT Donald Croswhite made Aug 14 at 2019 4:33 AM

SGT Donald Croswhite — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 04:33:05 -0400

Filling up the parade field for change of commands, especially company.

Response by CH (LTC) Robert Leroe made Aug 16 at 2019 4:56 PM

CH (LTC) Robert Leroe — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 16:56:56 -0400

We need more traditions, not less, to remind us of our heritage. The military is a lot like church--both thrive on remembering.

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Aug 19 at 2019 9:17 AM

SFC Robert Walton — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 09:17:10 -0400

244 Years of History and Tradition that in some folks minds is Obsolete. SMFH

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Aug 24 at 2019 2:43 PM

SPC Brian Mason — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 14:43:01 -0400

10th MTN DIV, 2nd BGE has a Polar Bear as it's a mascot and its own history. At some point in the history, some soldiers were part of the Bataan Death March in WW2. There might have been some anniversary or something related to it when I was there.
"George" the polar bear was moved and marched in remembrance and celebration of the BGE and Division. I was fun and tiring. Yes. Long (don't remember how long) motivational speeches. A reminder to those of us who were a part of it, who is, and who potentially will be.
I think it's really awsome that my name along with many others will be a part of 2nd BGE, 10th Mountain. They are not a waste of time and obsolete. The Army (for me) is bigger than just one person. I was part of OIF for 27 months and a Medic.
If everyone plays their part then they are adding to the already immeasurable history of our military.

Response by MSG Gregg Clement made Aug 26 at 2019 9:26 AM

MSG Gregg Clement — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 09:26:50 -0400

I have to agree with the long recourse-wasting c of c ceremonies.
The very last one that I was at was so ate up that a SSG come over in 3 seconds to bugle and told everybody in the BN formation to take off all rings, watches, pens, glasses, etc, etc for a photo. Well, fuck! I pulled my wedding ring off to put it in my pocketu and must have missed it. GONE! After an hour of kissing the new commander's ass speeches, and finally getting out of the stinking clamshell, I found no ring in my pocket.
Try to tell your wife why happened!
Passing the guidons and introduction is plenty of ceremony.

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Sep 11 at 2019 8:14 AM

SFC Robert Walton — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 08:14:38 -0400

"Uniforms" quit F ing with uniforms getting where a major amount of Money is spent on uniforms it is crazy. I understand up-grade but all of this is not up grade Pinks and Greens, and Brown boot, that was all WW2 stuff not exactly what I would call a up-grade. Not to mention the rewrite of Regulations like AR 670-1 just to keep up with the changes. Awards No one wants to award for good anymore. Just do you job, other units give out awards like candy get a happy medium here, Oh I see you made it to work/drill/what ever You get an ARCOM. Write your own award? What happened to people Doing the job they enlisted for? 7 schools and been it two years how did you even work in your MOS? That is why everyone wants to change Customs and Traditions No time for them to busy going to irrelevant schools that only enhance their Dr. Degree in horse pucky rather than MOS related schools. I Could go on but you get the idea. Rant over.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Sep 11 at 2019 8:35 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 08:35:01 -0400

The fact they call me a QM and never went to war. Yes I did south korea 1970

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Sep 12 at 2019 6:46 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 06:46:51 -0400

Stop calling me Mr booze. Where do you get beer on deployment you SSG supply sergeant.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Sep 12 at 2019 6:48 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 06:48:24 -0400

Call me gunney. Call me chief. Navy I outrank you E9

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Sep 12 at 2019 9:24 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 09:24:33 -0400

Once you make SFC you can call branch

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Sep 12 at 2019 9:26 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 09:26:02 -0400

Once I was a CW4 I directed the QM branch. From Europe. Ask Tommie Mortimer

Response by 1SG Victor Sotil made Sep 30 at 2019 10:43 AM

1SG Victor Sotil — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 10:43:46 -0400

If you spend some time in the Army you will see that some good traditions already have banished. What ever happened to NCO Call at the local NCO club the last Friday of the month. What ever happened NCO induction ceremonies. Those traditions slowly died in most units, Senior NCOs please bring back. No Army traditions are a waste of time, they are necessary to maintain morale at the highest. Army Strong!

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Nov 20 at 2019 3:52 PM

SPC Stewart Smith — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 15:52:47 -0500

In Germany we had "right arm night". On right arm night we would go bowling and anyone who outranked you, in your squad all the way up to the commander, had to buy you a drink. I was an E-2 when I first went to germany. I think I got 8 free drinks that night.
This was an awesome tradition that should never be done away with.

Response by Cpl Mark Sullivan made Jun 28 at 2020 11:15 AM

Cpl Mark Sullivan — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 11:15:50 -0400

Stop saying" there is no such thing as a stupid question"

Response by SSG John Jensen made Jun 28 at 2020 12:43 PM

SSG John Jensen — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 12:43:56 -0400

once upon a time Enlisted men officially couldn't read, it might have been true - and as such you couldn't just give them their orders, you had to read it to them. Some of the ceremonies by all means for recognition and all that - But All of Them? All the Time?

Response by SGT Tom Recupero made Jun 28 at 2020 2:12 PM

SGT Tom Recupero — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 14:12:14 -0400

Bring back the Gauntlet

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 29 at 2020 10:02 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 10:02:16 -0400

1. Wearing work or special purpose uniform to do an office job. Tradition started to show unity with war fighters after 9/11. Has resulted in office workers looking sloppy at best. No practical reason a finance clerk or wing staff officer can’t wear service uniform to work most days.
2. Officer aircrew. The Air Force requires pilots and some other aircrew to be officers. They must have a bachelors degree to be commissioned. My experience as a pilot and pilot training instructor shows that having a degree and commission have little effect on a person’s ability to fly an aircraft. Air Force should restructure force to include warrant officer pilots for manned and unmanned aircraft using the Army Flight warrant officer model. Save a lot of personnel cost.